NYPD Ordered to Turn Over Shooting Reports to Civil Liberties Union

The NYPD must now turn over initial reports filed within 24 hours of a police-related shooting - and more detailed reports within 90 days.

New York Daily News via YellowBrix

February 23, 2011

NEWYORK – A judge has ordered the NYPD to turn over internal reports on more than 800 cop-related shootings dating back to 1997 to the New York Civil Liberties Union.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Emily Goodman’s decision follows a 2009 lawsuit by the NYCLU that said the Police Department is withholding info from the public any time its members are involved in shootings with civilians.

“We expect that these disclosures will make possible for the first time a fully informed debate about police shootings,” said Christopher Dunn, the NYCLU’s lead lawyer on the case.

The city Law Department said it is considering an appeal.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly defended the handling of cop-involved shootings, saying every incident in which a bullet is fired from a service weapon is catalogued and an annual report on the shootings is also done.

“You’ll see more detailed information in that report than in any other similar report anywhere,” said Kelly.